The point guard position is often considered the sole leader of a team. Most agree that a great point guard must be an extension of the coach. According to teammates and former coaches, senior point guard Calvin Allen fits this mold.

”The point guard is basically the coach on the court,” Allen said. “You can’t get by with just knowing your spot on the floor, you have to know what everyone is doing on the court at all times.”

This acceptance of leadership is what makes Allen unique. It typically takes years for players to mature and finally become an “alpha dog.” Allen however, has displayed this behavior for as long as he can remember.

“Leading has come natural to me,” Allen said. “I’ve always been very outspoken, and I’m not scared to lead. If I know what I’m talking about, I’m going to try to point [my teammates] in the right direction.”

Allen’s ninth grade coach, Tyler Posey, believes Allen was a huge component of his team’s success. Allen’s love of learning the game coupled with his rich skill set differentiate him from others on the team.

“Calvin had a tremendous impact on our team,” Posey said. “Not only was he a tremendous basketball player, he had an incredible drive to get better. After every practice, he would stay late and ask questions to improve his basketball IQ and skill. All of those traits helped him become a great leader on and off the floor.”

Allen’s well-known drive has propelled him to new heights this offseason. According to teammates, he not only works hard, but he does whatever he is told to near perfection. Senior shooting guard Romen Martin has respect for Allen.

“He is the one who almost never messes up in practice,” Martin said. “He demands respect, and people give it to him because it’s like he knows everything.”

Allen earns this high praise not only from his current teammates, but his former ones also. 2016 Bryant graduate Kevin Hunt believes Allen has what it takes to make it high up in the basketball ranks.

“He makes the game so simple,” Hunt said. “He sees things that most guards just don’t see. He is at a different level mentally, and his basketball IQ is so high. He can go as far as he wants to go.”

While Allen does have the respect of his teammates, he has not received an offer from any schools yet to play basketball at the college level. Allen does not let this get to him, as he knows what he is capable of.

“I just take it day by day,” Allen said. “I’m going to go out and play my hardest and whatever happens, happens.”